Porn, lewdness alleged in Blue Angels

Details have emerged about allegations against former Blue Angels leader

Capt. Greg McWherter, commanding officer and flight leader of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, responds to the crowd at the Guardians of Freedom Air Show. The Blue Angels performed in Lincoln as part of the 2011 show season and in celebration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jen Blake/Released)
MC1 Jen Blake

Capt. Greg McWherter, commanding officer and flight leader of the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, responds to the crowd at the Guardians of Freedom Air Show. The Blue Angels performed in Lincoln as part of the 2011 show season and in celebration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jen Blake/Released)

According to the Navy’s statement, a complaint filed with the Inspector General in March alleges that “lewd speech, inappropriate comments, and sexually explicit humor were allowed in the workplace and in some cases encouraged by the commanding officer.”

The Navy – which, with other U.S. military branches is fighting a bad reputation over a mounting number of sexual assault reports – also said that accusations include that “pornographic images were displayed in the workplace and shared in electronic communications.”

The investigation, led by a Navy admiral, continues. The details released Wednesday come from the initial findings, the Navy indicated in its statement.

McWherter did his first tour as commanding officer of the Blue Angels, based in Pensacola, Fla., from November 2008 to November 2010.

He returned to lead the squadron for an unusual second tour after the then-commanding officer bowed out, citing lack of faith in his own abilities to lead after an aborted maneuver during an air show.

McWherter’s second stretch in the No. 1 seat was from May 2011 to November 2012.

The Navy’s “Air Boss” in Coronado, Vice Adm. David Buss, released a statement Wednesday that underscores the Navy’s efforts to combat sexual harassment.

“The Blue Angels exist to inspire Americans through their regular displays of excellence, demonstrating the highest caliber of airmanship. The professionalism of their aerial performances is unquestioned. We cannot however, limit our judgment to that alone, to the dazzling feats of skill and daring seen in their flight demonstrations,” Buss said.

“A naval officer is a complete leader and must be someone worthy of the respect given by the crowds attending the air shows where the Blues perform.”

McWherter was not immediately available for comment. He declined comment when the news of allegations first broke Friday.

Being relieved of command for cause usually ends a naval officer's career progression. The announcement adds a sour note to what otherwise has been a distinguished record for the jet pilot.

McWherter, a native of Atlanta and graduate of The Citadel, is an F/A-18 pilot with multiple tours in combat squadrons, including leading VFA-192 through three deployments aboard the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. He is a graduate of the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, known as Top Gun, and won the 2003 Commander Naval Air Forces Leadership Award. He was also VFA-131’s Pilot of the Year in 1996.